Where is Merlin

[bfglitch]

The costco by me has gas pumps. Couldn't tell you how many islands or pumps because I haven't got gas there since the lines are always way too long. I think the main reason for that is because people here are too stupid to realize they place a nice wide lane between the islands so people can drive around the first pump when it's occupied to get to the other pumps when they become available. So people just sit there waiting even when 1 (or 2) pumps are completely available just past that first pump.

 

[JSolo]

^^ stupid people. I watched the same just the other week while waiting to fill up.

Being in a car, I'll pull up in such a manner that I can see when the front pump is unoccupied. Although, last time I pulled up to a pump with the nozzle on the passenger side. Didn't matter. Wasn't putting fuel in the car - putting fuel into gas cans for the 6-18" of blizzard they predicted (we barely got 2").

 

[Snicklefritz]

Although, last time I pulled up to a pump with the nozzle on the passenger side.

four out of five times getting gas I'll pull up on the left side of the island and just hold the hose up from touching my car. the costco hoses are nice and long. most vehicles seem to have the gas cap on the driver's side and a majority of drivers don't want to hold the hose so they wait in long lines so that they can pull in on the right side of the island which I think is a stupid waste of time.

 

[Redleg94]

I thought NJ did away with attendant pumping gas nonsense?







Edit; just learned oregon has this insanity too.

I could only wish. What is interesting is that the law specifically says "gasoline" so if you have a diesel car or truck, you can fill it up yourself. Made for some interesting conversations and local stations.

 

[DoctorStiches]

Vancouver Wa Costco has .... 6 x 2 so thats twelve lanes and yea the line goes out into the street. Next costco trip ill take a pic of the absolute mess it is and post here

 

[Redleg94]

Vancouver Wa Costco has .... 6 x 2 so thats twelve lanes and yea the line goes out into the street. Next costco trip ill take a pic of the absolute mess it is and post here

The Costco in Nyack NY is similar, lines almost to the street. I don't know how much of that is NJ residents who are there because they can pump their own, or just the fact that ist was a Saturday.

Since the Costcos in NJ have gone to members only, the lines have gotten much smaller. When the stations first opened, they were open to everyone, no membership required. Last summer they went to members only. They're not always the lowest cost around, especially for premium. GasBuddy really comes in handy with today's prices.

 

[vipeboy2000]

The Costco in Nyack NY is similar, lines almost to the street. I don't know how much of that is NJ residents who are there because they can pump their own, or just the fact that ist was a Saturday.

Since the Costcos in NJ have gone to members only, the lines have gotten much smaller. When the stations first opened, they were open to everyone, no membership required. Last summer they went to members only. They're not always the lowest cost around, especially for premium. GasBuddy really comes in handy with today's prices.

oh wow... ours has always been members only... and as of yet, i've never seen another place cheaper than costco.

 

[JSolo]

I could only wish. What is interesting is that the law specifically says "gasoline" so if you have a diesel car or truck, you can fill it up yourself. Made for some interesting conversations and local stations.

Because common folk is stupid and don't know how to pump their own gas, while truck drivers are professionals.

I'm still in awe this "law" hasn't been voted to be reversed/repealed decades ago. Another example of folks believing the gov knows best....? One would expect prices to decline too as there's no longer a need for multiple (if this was ever the case) attendants.

Been pumping my own gas since 16. It's not rocket science.

 

[stoopid]

Because common folk is stupid and don't know how to pump their own gas, while truck drivers are professionals.

I'm still in awe this "law" hasn't been voted to be reversed/repealed decades ago. Another example of folks believing the gov knows best....? One would expect prices to decline too as there's no longer a need for multiple (if this was ever the case) attendants.

Been pumping my own gas since 16. It's not rocket science.

Seeing that most of big brother States don't have this law, I don't think it's a liberal conspiracy. Maybe there's a better explanation than the knee jerk reaction that everything is lib v dumbasses.

As it turns out, Oregon is slowly loosening the ban on self serve and is likely trending toward doing away with the ban altogether. Jersey is just being Jersey, they are an outlier among 48 (almost 49) other States. Honestly, I'm surprised it's not Florida, they seem to be the champions of backwards in 'Merica. The long argued reason for the initial ban is obvious bunk, and other interests are keeping the ban in place. Not 'big government'. Seeing that NY and CA are the biggest liberal States in the union, you'd think they would have the ban if there was an validity to it.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/18/energy/new-jersey-oregon-pump-your-own-gas/index.html

 

[Rodtheviking]

Vancouver Wa Costco has .... 6 x 2 so thats twelve lanes and yea the line goes out into the street. Next costco trip ill take a pic of the absolute mess it is and post here

The one on 192nd is a joke most of the time too, I go elsewhere.

 

[Dan1028]

Came here to learn about a man's fate. Scrolled through a page and half about Costco gas, instead.

It's like he never left.

 

[JSolo]

Merlin's spirit remains forever............

 

[vipeboy2000]

Came here to learn about a man's fate. Scrolled through a page and half about Costco gas, instead.

It's like he never left.

we felt like it would be fitting

 

[Redleg94]

Because common folk is stupid and don't know how to pump their own gas, while truck drivers are professionals.

I'm still in awe this "law" hasn't been voted to be reversed/repealed decades ago. Another example of folks believing the gov knows best....? One would expect prices to decline too as there's no longer a need for multiple (if this was ever the case) attendants.

Been pumping my own gas since 16. It's not rocket science.

Supposedly, there is a bill working its way through the legislature to change the law and allow stations to offer self-serve. I'll believe it when I see it. What is remarkable is the number of people that know that DON'T want the law removed, they LIKE having someone else fill up their tank because "it's so much more convenient". Granted, most of those almost never leave the state so they don't really have any other frame of reference. I've run into people who simply don't know how to pump gas because they've never driven far enough out of the state to have to get gas.

Up until the last few years it made sense to get gas in NJ if you were going through the state as we had lower prices than all of the neighboring states because the state fuel taxes were so much lower. Today, not so much because the state raised the fuel taxes to match New York's. Now it generally cheaper to get gas before ENTRERING the state as the prices in PA, NY and DE are lower.

 

[Redleg94]

Seeing that most of big brother States don't have this law, I don't think it's a liberal conspiracy. Maybe there's a better explanation than the knee jerk reaction that everything is lib v dumbasses.

As it turns out, Oregon is slowly loosening the ban on self serve and is likely trending toward doing away with the ban altogether. Jersey is just being Jersey, they are an outlier among 48 (almost 49) other States. Honestly, I'm surprised it's not Florida, they seem to be the champions of backwards in 'Merica. The long argued reason for the initial ban is obvious bunk, and other interests are keeping the ban in place. Not 'big government'. Seeing that NY and CA are the biggest liberal States in the union, you'd think they would have the ban if there was an validity to it.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/18/energy/new-jersey-oregon-pump-your-own-gas/index.html

From my understanding in Oregon it is the rural counties outside the I5 corridor where self-serve is allowed, and then only during certain times of day.

 

[Redleg94]

oh wow... ours has always been members only... and as of yet, i've never seen another place cheaper than costco.

There are a couple of Shell and BP stations near Costco that are sometimes cheaper, and always cost competitive with Costco.

The one beef that I have with Costco stations for roadtrips is the lack of bathrooms or vending machines near the station. Generally, I really don't want to fight the "normal" Costco traffic to simply use a bathroom and get a bottle of water.

 

[vipeboy2000]

There are a couple of Shell and BP stations near Costco that are sometimes cheaper, and always cost competitive with Costco.

The one beef that I have with Costco stations for roadtrips is the lack of bathrooms or vending machines near the station. Generally, I really don't want to fight the "normal" Costco traffic to simply use a bathroom and get a bottle of water.

i've seen a few times where sam's/walmart was as cheap or a cent or two cheaper than our costco but shell is almost always at least 20-40 cents more for premium.

yea, on trips I usually scope out a bigger shell or truck stop.

 

[stoopid]

From my understanding in Oregon it is the rural counties outside the I5 corridor where self-serve is allowed, and then only during certain times of day.

Yes, that's what the cited CNN article explains. They also indicated the sentiment among voters in Oregon favors allowing self service stations.

 

[JSolo]

My last road trip south was entirely around costco gas stations. I had a few hotdogs for lunch afterwards.... Traveling cheap......

 

[OliverNuther]

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/18/energy/new-jersey-oregon-pump-your-own-gas/index.html

Interesting read. I’m 55 and have never seen petrol attendants in Australia ever, even as a child. It’s always been DIY here since forever.